south sudan review_beijing20
TRANSCRIPT
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NATIONAL EVALUATION REPORT
ON
THE IMPLEMENTATION OF THE BEIJING DECLARATION
AND PLATFORM FOR ACTION (1995)
AND
THE OUTCOME OF THE 23RD SPECIAL SESSION OF
THE UNITED NATIONS GENERAL ASSEMBLY (2000).
SOUTH SUDAN APRIL 2014
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TABLE OF CONTENTS
List of Abbreviations and Acronyms: ...................................................................................................... 4
MAP OF SOUTH SUDAN SHOWING STATE AND COUNTY OVERVIEW ..................................................... 5
SUMMARY BACKGROUND ON SOUTH SUDAN ..................................................................................................... 6
1.0 INTRODUCTION:....................................................................................................................................... 8
Historical Background. ................................................................................................................................................... 8
The 1995 Beijing Declaration and Platform for Action..................................................................................... 9
Purpose of this Report ................................................................................................................................................. 10
Methodology: ................................................................................................................................................................... 10
2. O. VERVIEW OF THE ACHIEVMENTS AND CHALLENGES IN PROMOTING GENDER
EQUALITY AND WOMEN EMPOWERMENT. ................................................................................................... 10
2.1. Achievements: ........................................................................................................................................................ 10
2.2Challenges: ................................................................................................................................................................. 12
3.0 PROGRESS MADE IN THE IMPLEMENTATION OF THE CRITICAL AREAS OF CONCERN TO
THE BEIJING PLATFORM FOR ACTION (1995) AND THE FURTHER INITIATIVES AND
ACTIONS IDENTIFIED IN THE TWENTY-THIRD SPECIAL SESSION OF THE UN BENERAL
ASSEMBLY. ...................................................................................................................................................................... 14
3.1. WOMEN AND POVERTY: .................................................................................................................................... 15
3.2. WOMEN EDUCATION AND TRAINING: ........................................................................................................ 16
3.3. WOMEN AND ECONOMIC EMPOWERMENT: ............................................................................................ 18
3.4. WOMEN AND DECISION MAKING: ................................................................................................................. 19
3.5. WOMEN AND ARMED CONFLICT: .................................................................................................................. 21
3.6. WOMEN AND FUNDAMENTAL RIGHTS ....................................................................................................... 22
3.7. WOMEN AND ENVIRONMENT: ....................................................................................................................... 23
3.8. VIOLENCE AGAINST WOMEN: ......................................................................................................................... 24
3.9. WOMEN AND HEALTH: ...................................................................................................................................... 26
3.10. THE GIRL CHILD ................................................................................................................................................. 27
3.11. WOMEN AND MEDIA: ....................................................................................................................................... 30
3.12. INSTITUTIONAL MECHANISM FOR ADVANCEMENT OF WOMEN. ............................................... 31
INSTITUTIONAL DEVELOPMENT AND MEASURES ADOPTED TOPROMOTE GENDER
EQUALITY AND WOMEN EMPOWERMENT: .................................................................................................. 32
4.0 MEASURES ADOPTED TO PROMOTE GENDER EQUALITY AND WOMEN EMPOWERMENT: 35
5.0. KEY CHALLENGES REMAINING AND PLANS FOR FUTURE ACTIONS: ........................................... 36
6.0 NEW COMMITMENTS/KEY PRIORITY FOR ACTION: ............................................................................. 37
7.0. OPPORTUNITIES: .................................................................................................................................................. 38
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Annex 1. Key statistics: ............................................................................................................................................ 39
Annex: 3. Road Map for the Compilation of the National Comprehensive Review Report on the
Implementation of the Beijing Declaration and Platform for Action ....................................................... 42
KEY REFERENCE DOCUMENTS: ............................................................................................................................ 44
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LIST OF ABBREVIATIONS AND ACRONYMS:
CPA Comprehensive Peace Agreement
JAM Joint assessment Mission
SPLM Sudan People’s Liberation Movement
SPLA Sudan People’s Liberation Army
NCP National Congress Party
CEDAW Convention on the Elimination of all forms of Discrimination Against Women.
AU African Union
IGAD Inter-Governmental Authority on Development
NGP National Gender Policy
MoGCSW Ministry of Gender, child and social Welfare
SSDP South Sudan Development Plan
MDG Millennium Development Goal
DDR Demobilization, disarmament and re-integration
SSNPS South Sudan National Police Service
SGBV Sexual Gender Base violent
NBS National Bureau of Statistics
SSTEP South Sudan Teachers Education Program
NER Net enrolment rate
GER General Enrolment Rate
WFP World Food Program
VSLA Voluntary Saving and Loan Associations
CSSAC Community Security and Small Arms Arm Control
BCSSAC Bureau of Community Security and Small Arms Control
PWDs Persons with Disability.
1325 NAP National Action Plan for the Implementation of UNSCR 1325
EVE Empowering Village Education
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MAP OF SOUTH SUDAN SHOWING STATE OVERVIEW
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SUMMARY BACKGROUND ON SOUTH SUDAN
TABLE 1: GEOGRAPHY
Area Coverage 644,329 sq. km
Climate (953.7 mm) Rainfalls, Average High temp of 94.1˚F
(34.5˚C) Low of 70.9˚F (21.6˚C)
Terrain South Sudan is bordered by Uganda, Kenya, Ethiopia,
DRC, Sudan and CAR
Natural Resources Oil, gold, Cement, Iron, Copper, Uranium, Timber, River
among others.
TABLE 2: DEMOGRAPHY
Total Population
8.26 million (2008 Census).
3.9 million, 48% of the Population are Women (SSCCE,
2011).
Population Growth Rate 4.3%
Current Population Projection 10.84 million (2012)World Bank
% urban population 17%
% Rural Population 83%
Life Expectancy 54.05 years (Women 55.09 years and for men 53.05
years.)
Tribe 64
Ethnic Groups 200 Ethnic Groups
Religions Christianity, Islam African and Traditional Religion
Table 3: SOCIO-ECONOMIC INDICATORS
Human Development Index 0.379
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Poverty Rate 50.6%
State Budget 2012-2013 was SSP 9bn ($3bn)
HIV prevalence rate 3%
Gender Based Violence Incidence 40%
Under 5 mortality 105 (per 1,000 live births)
Maternal mortality ratio 2,054 per 100,000 births
Total fertility rate 3.85 Births Per woman
Access to safe drinking water 55%
Access to sanitation 13.8%
Literacy rate 27% for people above 15years
Gross Enrolment rate 54.5% for girls; 81.4 for boys (2010)
Source: South Sudan statistical Year Book (2011).
Table 4: WOMEN IN POLITICS AND DECISION MAKING REPRESENTATION
% Women National Legislative
Assembly
29%. (With 95 in number)
% Women in the National Cabinet 10% (5 in number)
% Women State Parliament 25 % (with 120 in number)
% Women as Undersecretary 12% (with four 4 in number)
The Presidency 1 female Advisor out seven Presidential Advisors
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1.0 INTRODUCTION:
South Sudan is a land locked country with a total area coverage of 644.329 sq. km and is
neighboring Sudan from the north, Ethiopia from the East, Kenya and Uganda from the South,
Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) from the south East and Central African Republic (CAR) from
the west. The Country has a total population of 8.26 million (2008 Sudan Population Census)1
and with a current projection of 10.84 million people (2012 World Bank Projection)2
The country is comprised of ten states, namely Eastern Equatoria, Western Equatoria, Central
Equatoria, Jonglei, Lakes, Northern Bahr El Ghazel, Western Bahr El Ghazel, Unity and Upper Nile.
South Sudan is largely plains, marked by hilly regions and thick vegetation. The Nile is one of the
major natural features of South Sudan. It traverses the entire country and flows through some of
its major towns including Juba, the capital city. The Nile facilitates trade, administration and
urbanization in most of the rural areas.
South Sudan holds other natural resources including oil, gold, and iron ore, copper among others.
The country is very fertile for agriculture and main crops includes-sorghum, millet, Ground Nuts,
Simsim, rice cassava etc. The country also provides attractive site for one of the world largest
animal migration each year.
Historical Background.
The South Sudan two decades of civil wars (1955-1972) and (1983-2005) left the country
devastated with ruined infrastructure, population displaced internally and externally as refuges
in neighboring countries and beyond. This resulted into underdevelopment across all sectors; as
in many other post conflicts situations, women and children have borne the brunt of these wars.
During the struggle with a large number of men killed or absent for a long period of time, women
stepped in to fill the roles that traditionally been reserved for the men. They become the backbone
of community, taking care of homes and families, sick and wounded as well as managing
agricultural food production.
During the struggle, women played a critical role in the war as combatants themselves or
providing soldiers with vital logistical support. These increased responsibility and the critical role
women played during the struggle, however have not reversed the entrenched patriarchal legacy
of the patriarchy. The founder of the Sudan People’s Liberation Struggle though in his leadership
recognized women contribution in the struggle and nation building. Dr. John Garang has always
recognized the plight of women of the Sudan by saying “women are the marginalized of the
marginalized “3. Although the SPLM started recognizing the important role played by women
since the Chukudum convention at which the department of women and child welfare was
created within the SPLM and this was reaffirmed by the joint assessment mission (JAM) in 2004,
which recognized the needs for progress towards Gender equality and whose recommendations
2 2012 World Bank Population Projection Report 3Dr. John Garang Official Speech at the Signing of the 2005 Sudan Comprehensive Peace Agreement (CPA)
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where later captured in the CPA, including the 25% affirmative action clause. With the coming of
peace and signing of the CPA, the majority of women, especially in the rural areas, have returned
to their socially designated roles and to unequal power relations that excludes them from
leadership and decision making
In 2005, the Sudan National Congress Party (NCP) and the Sudan People’s Liberation Movement
(SPLM) signed the 2005 Comprehensive Peace Agreement (CPA) to end the Africa’s longest civil
war. The comprehensive peace agreement provided for the referendum for the southerners to
determine whether they will become an independent country or remain under Sudan. Under the
internationally monitored referendum in January 2011, Southerners opted to secede from the
north by more than 98% of which over 50% was women contribution. The outcome paved way
for the southern independence which South Sudan, led by the SPLM in juba, seceded in July 2011.
These brought in, and created a window of opportunity for the Republic of South Sudan
institutions to formulate new development framework and sets in standards for service delivery
and accountability. The post-independence era ushered in an opportunity for the new
government to rationalize institutions and align better structures with mandates to manage and
deliver services to the people of South Sudan. The new nation was founded on justice, equality
and respect for human dignity and fundamental freedom.
The declaration of South Sudan Independence on the 9thJuly 2011, which marked the birth of a
new nation also witnessed the promulgation of the Transitional Constitution of the Republic of
South Sudan in 2011, as the supreme law of the land. This was followed closely with the adoption
of the first ever development plan, The South Sudan Development Plan of 2011-2013, a medium
term development plan that would respond to the core development and state- building
challenges during the first three years of independence.4 Fortunately, the Constitution on the face
of it and through its adoption of the Internationally recognized Bill of Rights, makes provision for
gender equality and gender mainstreaming including, elements of affirmative action to ensure
representation of women in decision making positions in the public spheres which include
cabinet, the legislatures at the national and state levels, the Judiciary and other public institutions.
The South Sudan Development Plan too among other pillars has provision for cross cutting issues
which also includes gender equality.
The 1995 Beijing Declaration and Platform for Action
The period (1995-2005) that witnessed the holding of fourth world conference on women in
Beijing, was the same period when South Sudan was still under one Sudan and still faced with
conflict. Little or no achievements were achieve, in spites of some achievements registered under
the Sudan People’s Liberation Movement in their control areas. The Sudan by then was operating
under the Sharia law which most of its national provisions under the law undermines the dignity
and respect for women. Most international legal instruments that guarantee the promotion of
gender equality and protection of the right of women including the CEDAW were not ratified.
There was no policy and legal framework that supports and promote full participation of women;
hence virtually there was little progress within this period of the Beijing declaration up to the
4 2011 South Sudan Development Plan
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signing of the comprehensive peace agreement. However from the interim period of the CPA and
the post-independence period, South Sudan has witnessed progress in recognition of advancing
gender equality and the empowerment of women.
Purpose of this Report
This evaluation report critically assesses the progress made and challenges encountered in line
with the implementation of the Beijing Declaration and Platform for Action and the outcome of
the 23 Special Session of the United Nations General Assembly, 2000. To this end, the evaluation
will identify key overview of the achievements in line with the advancement of gender equality
and the empowerment of women, the challenges and suggested actions for future intervention in
relation to the promotion of gender equality and empowerment of women in South Sudan.
Methodology:
This report was realized as result of the intensive desk review of the existing literature and a
participatory process involving the key line Government institutions, Development Partners and
Civil Society Organization at the national and state level. Key references were made to relevant
policy and legal frameworks, strategies and programmes that are intended to advance gender
equality and women empowerment in South Sudan.
2. O. OVERVIEW OF THE ACHIEVMENTS AND CHALLENGES IN PROMOTING GENDER
EQUALITY AND WOMEN EMPOWERMENT.
South Sudan has so far made key achievements in line with the advancement of Gender equality
and the empowerment of women. These achievements traces back from the pre-CPA period, CPA
period and post CPA period. It is important to acknowledge that as a young nation, South Sudan
has not achieved much compared to other nations that attained independence in the early 1960’s.
Below is an overview of achievements in line with the key critical areas provided in the guideline
and format by the United Nations:
2.1. Achievements:
2.1.1 South Sudan was admitted as the 193rd member state of the United Nations by the General
Assembly on 13 July 2011. It is also a member of the AU and IGAD. The country has both an
international and regional obligation by default to respect and implement key international
instruments that promotes gender equality and rights of women. The country signed the
Geneva Convention binding it to uphold international humanitarian law. Although South
Sudan has not yet ratified CEDAW and other important conventions that promote and protect
gender equality, the principal tenets of these instruments are reflected in national legal
instruments. The government of South Sudan has already ratified the United Nation
convention on the right of Child. This is one achievement in as far as the implementation of
the Beijing plat form and action is concern.
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2.1.2 Commitment to gender equality and the empowerment of women are enshrined in
provisions of the Transitional Constitution and Bill of Rights which guarantees for equality
and equity between women and men as well as a 25% Affirmative Action provision for women
in all spheres as a temporary positive measure to redress past imbalances. A number of laws
enacted including the Child Act (2008) and some sector specific policies further demonstrate
the desire to redress past inequalities and violations of the rights of women, children, people
with disabilities and other vulnerable groups.
2.1.3 South Sudan developed a national Gender policy and its implementation strategy that
came to effect in 2013. The policy came as a result of thorough consultation with different
stakeholders in private, government at national and state levels, development partners,
national and international organizations. The National Gender Policy serve as a framework
and provide guidelines for mainstreaming principles of gender equality and the
empowerment of women in the national development process with the ultimate goal of
making gender equality an integral part of all laws, policies, programs and activities of all
government institutions, the private sector and civil society.
2.1.4 Government has also provided fertile ground for Women’s political participation and
representation at all level of government with an affirmative action of 25%. Women were
encouraged to register, vote and run for election in the first multiparty election in 2010 as
one provision of the 2005 Sudan CPA. With the support of development partners this led to
unprecedented ,51(31%) women out of 170 members elected to South Sudan Legislative
Assembly in April 2010 elections with 10 currently serving as members of the cabinet. In the
national legislative assembly, women representation stands at 29% and they hold 27% of the
cabinet position. In Addition, 120 (25%) women out of 480 members where elected to 10
state legislative assemblies.
Table 5: Composition of South Sudan State Assemblies by sex
Source: Ministry of Parliamentary Affairs (2011)
2.1.5 The establishment of institutional mechanism of governance to advance gender equality
and promote women empowerment. The government established the National Ministry of
State Female Male Total %Female %Male
Central Equatoria 9 14 23 39.1 60.9
Eastern Equatoria 5 14 19 26.3 73.7
Jonglei 8 20 28 28.6 71.4
Lakes 7 7 14 50 50
Northern Bahr El Ghazal 14 11 25 56 44
Unity 4 8 12 33.3 66.6
Upper Nile 7 13 20 35 65
Warrap 8 12 10 40 60
Western Equatoria 1 5 6 16 84
Bahr El Ghazal 4 9 13 30.8 69.2
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Gender, Child and Social Welfare in 2006, the Office of the Presidential Advisor on gender and
human rights, the Specialized Parliamentary Committee on Gender and Social Welfare and
the women parliamentary caucus. All these have the mandate to promote and build a just and
free society-a society free from all forms of discrimination and violence; promoting a country
in which women, men and children enjoy their human rights on the basis of equality and non-
discrimination. These institutional mechanisms also trickle down at sub national level. The
establishment of the National Bureau of Statistics has also strengthen the mechanism of
monitoring, collecting and generation of gender disaggregated data that is necessary for
planning purpose.
2.1.6 Political will to advance gender equality has been demonstrated by the establishment of
the Ministry of Gender, Child and Social Welfare (MGCSW) in October 2005and the Office of
the Adviser to the President on Gender and Human Rights. Both of these have the mandate to
promote gender equality and to monitor progress in its implementation in all sectors of
national life. South Sudan’s first post-independence development plan (SSDP 2011-2013)
recognizes the central role of gender equality in development and includes it among the nine
cross-cutting issues which all sectors are required to mainstream in all policies, plans and
programs. South Sudan Human Rights Commission and War Wounded, Widows and Orphans
Commission establishment by the government is another commitment to further the equality
of women.
2.1.7 South Sudan Development Plan 2011/13 now extended to 2016.provides an overarching
vision for Southern Sudan’s economic and social development priorities beyond the CPA
interim period. It is a medium term framework for achieving security, development, economic
growth and poverty reduction. It is a pro-poor and gender sensitive plan that has meaningful
impact on the poor and vulnerable people especially women and children; and to make sure
that public policies programmes and resource allocations are gender responsive. One aspect
of these efforts has been advocacy for use of gender-disaggregated data and MDGs based
indicators and mainstreaming of gender issues in all the four main pillars of the SSDP. The
Plan also recognizes the gender equality and the empowerment of women as pre-requisites
for sustainable peace and development and the National gender policy, as integral part of the
national goal of building peaceful, inclusive and prosperous nations.
2.2 Challenges:
South Sudan still has considerable challenges remaining in spites of the achievements registered
by the government and this calls for aggressive and holistic approach in promotion of gender
equality and empowerment of women in South Sudan. These challenges are inter related and re-
enforce each other. For example issues of security and justice are closely related to the sexual
Gender based violence, which have direct impacts on the health and livelihood of women, men
and children. These affect the socio-economic status including the education, income,
employment and representation in decision making process.
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2.2.1 Capacity Challenges; Though South Sudan has registered some progress in the
implementation of the Beijing declaration and platform for action, there is limited
institutional framework to strengthen the good achievements, capacity of these institutions
being weak and coupled with human resources capacity is one big challenges hindering the
promotion of gender equality and women’s empowerment.
2.2.2 Patriarchy: With clear demonstrated political will and other national legal document
guarantees, the attitudes toward Gender, equality and the rights of women are still
predominantly strong in the patriarchal social systems which entrenches gender based
discrimination and exposed women and other vulnerable groups to marginalization,
violations and abuse of human rights especially of women and children. This patriarchal
systems means that, men dominate most social spheres and are accorded most productive
assets, powers, privileges and authority. The negative effect of this marginalization is witness
always in all sectors both private and public, and this heavily impinges on the development
of the country.
2.2.3 Obstacle in political participation and governance: South Sudan still experiences
unbalanced power relations and opportunities between women and men at all level of
government. While the 25% in the affirmative action are commendable and has brought
increased political participation of women in the legislative assembly, differences and
disparities are still evident and wide enough in legislative assemblies, executive level, in
public administration. In Lakes state and Northern Bahr el Ghazal the disparities is 50% and
56% respectively. Great disparities exist in the Judiciary, Executives and also in the local
government structures. The capacity of women to effectively participate and engage with
their male counterpart in leadership and decision making is still limited
2.2.4 The weak legal and justice sectors. South Sudan legal systems is still facing a lot of
challenges in terms of human resources to handle the many cases, the challenges to equity in
accessing justice is one issue that affects women most especially in rural areas where cases
are handle by customary court systems which are dominated by the deeply patriarchal beliefs
and practices. There is therefore urgent needs to streamline and harmonizes the legal systems
and judicial practices, and capacity improvement and development in the justice sectors to
ensure that existing legislation within the country are properly used and are correctly
enforced. Initiatives in the legal sectors like legal aid to be put in place especially in rural areas
to cater for the disadvantage women/girls and men/boys more effort is also needed in the
informal justice systems like the paralegals in the community and village mediators.
2.2.5 Security. South Sudan still grapples with the aftermaths of the conflicts before
independence and the existing internal crisis, unresolved issues with the neighboring
country, Sudan, inter communal violent cause by such practices like cattle raiding and other
clashes over land issues. This has been made worse by the presence of small arms among the
civilian. These leads to insecurity and soil problems in the community and has gender related
dimension such as, increased incidence of rape, abduction of women and children, disease
and deprivation of human dignity. Gender equality interventions must take into
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consideration, not only the gender effects of insecurity, but also the role women can play in
conflict prevention and peace building at national and community levels. This means,
carefully scrutinizing the role of women in disarmament, demobilization and re-integration
(DDR) process, mediation and peace building initiatives.
2.2.6 Poor retention, promotion and recruitment in security sector: Much as the security
sector has demonstrated willingness and gender responsiveness by taking initiatives to train
and raise gender awareness, there is need to focus and increased commitments on the
retention, recruitment and promotion of women in the security sector including the South
Sudan Liberation Army( SPLA), the South Sudan National Police Service (NSSPS)and other
correctional and organized forces in South Sudan,
2.2.7 Harmful traditional practices and sexual violence: Civil war in South Sudan where
marred by widespread forms of sexual gender based violence including rapes as weapon of
war, abduction, force sexual favors and new risk and other forms of violence against women.
In post war, South Sudan sexual gender based violence remains one the serious health and
development indicator. Protection and response mechanism remains weak. Prevalent forms
of SGBV include domestic’s violence and wife battery, abduction of women and children
during cattle raiding, rape and sexual assault, wife inheritance, forced and child marriages.
Structural causes of SGBV and lack of access to justice especially to rural women and men are
also manifested in the denial of women to inheritance of productive assets, lack of voice and
decision making in family and community matters, denial of right of choice to found a family,
all of which are common in rural areas. This however is positive in the transitional
constitution of the republic of South Sudan and the bills of rights. However, there is serious
challenge in the awareness and the under reporting and ignorance in understating whether
they are being subjected to violence.
In adequate psychosocial support mechanism and other protection and medical services
especially in conflict prone areas, provision means that, many do not seek protection or
redress, even where the facilities are available and this calls for more multifaceted approach
in making sure that the government together with development partners address the
reporting and monitoring of such challenges especially in the rural settings.
3.0 THE CRITICAL AREAS OF CONCERN TO THE BEIJING PLATFORM FOR ACTION (1995)
AND THE FURTHER INITIATIVES AND ACTIONS IDENTIFIED IN THE TWENTY-THIRD
SPECIAL SESSION OF THE UN BENERAL ASSEMBLY.
This section explores the progress made in the implementation of the critical areas of concerns
as stated in the platform for action 1995 and further actions identified in the twenty third special
session of the UN General Assembly, 2000.
The progress made are discussed under the different component including policy and legislatives
changes, programme and projects undertaken, successful actions taken to implement the policies,
the commitments to further the implementation of the gender equality and women
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empowerment. This is in line with the guidelines provided by the United Nations. This section
also discusses the challenges, experiences and lesson learned.
Policy and legislative changes: Despite being among the poorest nations in the world, South
Sudan has committed to eradicating extreme poverty and to that end envisaged that the
proportion of the population that would be living under the national poverty level by the year
2013 will have gone down to 46%. As a result the country has made significant stride at policy
and strategic level by developing and adopting; Vision 2040, South Sudan Development Plan, the
National Gender Policy, the Local Government Gender Policy Framework, the National
Cooperative Strategy, National Agriculture Strategy, the Social Protection Policy (at final stage of
adoption), South Sudan Development Initiative and South Sudan New Deal Compact 2013 (Final
Stage of adoption). The implementation of some of these national policies and strategies provides
opportunity for the extension of basic social service that has translated into improving the living
conditions of the population. Specific actions including establishment of credit and micro finance
facility for women and women cooperatives at the grass root level though weak, has alleviated
women from the brink of poverty.
Programs and Projects: South Sudan prioritized an integrated set of interventions to achieve
economic prosperity. With the support of development partners, the government has taken
measures to address the burden of poverty in various sector of the economy from agriculture,
trade, infrastructure development in education roads and health sector. Emphasis is placed on
private sector-led investments and ensuring that growth is pro-poor, equitable and diversified.
The core target for economic development as stated in the country’s development plan is “to
sharply increase food security by lifting cereal production from 0.7 million Mt per year to 1.0
million Metric tons per year and increase meat, milk and fish production similarly. For example
through the Multi Donor trust fund, the Ministry of Gender in 2009, supported rural women in
ten states in agriculture and income generating activities that created employment and services
for women in small and medium enterprises, particularly in the informal sector. The government
also through the ministry of Agriculture, initiated projects geared towards the development and
implementation of Gender responsive Agricultural policies and enhancements of economics
livelihoods targeting a thousand women (1,000). The projects also aim at increasing rural women
participation in agribusiness. The programs also catered for the training of gender to all extension
workers and cooperatives officers in the country. In order to increase employment opportunities
and income to rural women, the Government, has also extended credit facilities to 4,000 poor
rural women in South Sudan with a cumulative disbursement of close to $0.8 million this also
covers over 500 benefiting from skills training, agriculture inputs and credit facility.
Challenges: There are several challenges that South Sudan women face in relation to abject
poverty. One of them is the prolong conflict, the current internal crisis , lack of resources to
implement sound poverty eradication measures due to the oil uncertain extraction, low literacy
3.1. WOMEN AND POVERTY:
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rates among women to engage in productive activity, private, poor infrastructural facilities and
inadequate market access. Poverty incidence continue to be higher among women than men,
women constitute a larger proportion of the poor (51%) than men (48.4%); the poverty incidence
is higher among females than males. This in turn affects their level of expenditure on food that
was found to be much lower (2.40 SSP spent daily per person) compared to their male
counterparts (2.76 SSP).5
Another major challenge is that market prices of major food and non-food commodities have been
persistently rising. According to the NBS, the Inflation rate has increased by 57.1% in August 2011
when compared with August 2010.6 The North-South trade route blockade has contributed most
for the high price increase, constraining movement of essential commodities such as wheat grain,
wheat flour, sorghum and millet from North to South Sudan (Refer to Social Protection Policy).
Successful Actions: The Governments of the Republic of South Sudan with the dear financial
support from development partners have put in programs that focus on fostering inclusive and
pro-poor growth and reducing food insecurity –specifically supporting the initiatives that
increase cereal production and improve on the livelihood of small scale farmers and conflict
affected women. This has made the poor rural women and much conflict affected women to
benefit from the harvest of the cereal crops.
Lesson learned: With poverty level more concentrated in rural areas (55.4%) than urban areas
(24.4%), targeted interventions should be concentrated in the rural areas as opposed to urban.
Improving livelihoods of the rural poor will synonymously address the key barriers faced by
women, men, girls and boys in rural areas that deny them access to economic rights and
opportunities. Secondly, encouraging the participation and engagement of the poor rural women
in identification of the priority areas for investment has proved successful for example the
livelihood projects for women, growing vegetable supported by Government in Eastern and
Western Equatoria is making great impacts because of the ownership of the projects by women
themselves and in identifying best area for investment.
Policy and Legislative Changes: The Republic of South Sudan recognizes the importance of
education in the national development and has placed the sector among the top five priority
programme areas in the Social and Human Development pillar of the SSDP. The country has also
adopted policy measures to create and provide conducive environment to promote women and
girls education. The adoption of the National Gender Policy, Education Policy, the Universal
Primary Education in 2006, the Girl’s Education Programme, promotion of private schools and
university education, school feeding programme are some positive measures that uphold the
level of gender equality reached in education in general. South Sudan education policy recognizes
basic education as a right, free and for all in South Sudan, as well as the promotion of the access
5 Sudan National House Hold Survey 2009 6 Sudan National House Hold Survey 2009
3.2. WOMEN EDUCATION AND TRAINING:
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to higher and general education opportunities, the policy also grounds education in local cultures
and tradition, some of which are responsible for undermining equitable access to education
opportunities, for example the practice of early marriage undermines girl child education and this
is not addressed by the Policy in a more proactive manner.
Programs and Projects: The National Ministry of Education, Science and Technology with the
support of partners has put in place programmes and a number of affirmative action in order to
promote education for all and female education such as establishment of community girls’
schools, girls’ boarding schools and development of a policy paper on girl child education, girls
incentive programme, School feeding programme. The education sector has been boosted by the
South Sudan Teachers Education Programme (SSTEP) through the Global Partnership for
education to address the issue of quality of teachers and enrolment levels. The programme aims
to provide qualified teachers and academic staff in order to reduce the pupil-teacher ratio and
produce a relevant curriculum for general education. With the approval of the General Education
Bill 2012 by the National Legislative Assembly, the government plan to address issues of making
primary school attendance compulsory and holding parents accountable for not sending their
children to school and for absenteeism, increase provision for private schools to enable parents
to have choices between taking their children to public or private schools. As a result of the
government intervention, primary school enrolment increased from only 400, 000 in 2006 to 1.3
million in 2009 and number of primary schools has increased by 20%. Likewise, the literacy rate
improved from 28% in 2006 to 40% in 2009; with males registering 37%compared to women,
who were at 30%, by the year 2009. Only 28%of women are literate in comparison to 55% for
men, implying a ratio of literate females to males of barely above half.Net Enrolment Rate (NER)
in primary schools of South Sudan stood at 40% in 2009, and Gross Enrolment Rate (GER) was
65%. During the same year, the completion rate was 64.5%.
Challenges: The education sector suffer from inadequate budget allocation necessary for human
resources and infrastructure development at all level of the education. The current statistics
indicates that there are gender gaps in favor of males at all levels of education in South Sudan.
This is the case at pre-primary, primary, secondary, alternative education and higher education.
The gender gaps are widest at higher and secondary education. For instance females’ enrolment
into Universities was only 18% compared to 82% for males in 2010. Similarly, female enrolment
into secondary schools was only 29% compared to 71% for males in 2010. The pastoralist
communities in States like Lakes and Northern Bahr El Ghazal have the lowest female enrolment
rates at all levels of education. This has been execrated by the long conflict. The low level of
literacy among women implies that women are not able to effectively participate in socio-
economic development. For instance they find it extremely hard to engage in income generating
activities that require basic economic literacy, Lack of health facilities for young girls at school,
harmful traditional practices like force marriage. It is therefore important that interventions
aimed at promoting literacy and life skills pay special attention to the needs and interests of
women and girls so that they can effectively participate in the development process. 91% of the
population has no qualifications, 5% have primary qualifications and 4% have secondary
qualifications.
Page 18 of 44
Successful Actions: The Launching of the Go to school program by the government and its
implementation by different state ministry has yielded fruits by increase in the school enrolment
in South Sudan by 20% from 2006 to 2009; women registering 30% increase in literacy rate.
Lesson Learned: Intensifying vocational and skills training, improving on the accessibility of
education facilities and school environment increases the enrolment, retention and completion
rates within the formal and non-formal education systems especially of women
Policy and Legislative Changes: South Sudan has adopted legal frameworks and national
strategies and programmes to empower women economically. The Land Act 2008, National
Gender Policy, Agriculture Strategy, National Cooperative Strategy and South Sudan Development
Plan lay down programme priorities that are very instrumental in promoting the economic
empowerment of women. The National Gender Policy and the South Sudan Development Plan
advocate for a pro-poor approach in delivery of basic services to meet the need of the most
vulnerable group including the women. The Transitional Constitution and the Land Act singles
out very clear the right of women to acquire property and land for economic development and
right to equal opportunity by women and men, girls and boys.
Programs and Projects: Different sectors ranging from Ministry of Agriculture, Cooperative and
Rural Development, Ministry of Gender, implementation range of economic empowerment
programs. Through The Farm Sudan Project, the government has been able to reach out and
empower a number of rural women in the agriculture sector. Through WFP local purchase
programme, women farmers are being encouraged to produce and sale their products at more
favorable price. Government is also building the capacity of women on adult functional literacy,
poultry farming, entrepreneurship, computer, tailoring, and hand-craft through the established
Women Empowerment Centers in selected states of Lakes, Western Equatoria and Jonglei With
the support of State Ministry of Gender and Social Development, the women in Western Equatoria
State are beginning to reap from the benefit of village saving programme (VSLA). The Government
has also initiated Adolescent Girls Initiative (AGI) to support school dropout girls in business
management skills. The programme is currently being implemented in three (3) States of Eastern,
Central Equatoria and Western Bahr el Ghazal.
Challenges: With the high rate of illiteracy in the country coupled with inadequate resources,
poor infrastructure and rampant insecurity, most empowerment programmes for women could
not take place or benefit the women and girls at the grass root level. There is also inequalities in
access to economic and productive assets most especially land, disparities in skills and capacity,
traditional and customary practices that assign women and men different gender roles, are some
key issues that hinder full participation of women in economic empowerment initiatives. High
defaulting rates in case of loan scheme in some States continue to affect the outcomes of the
positive empowerment. Many women especially in loan scheme work hard to repay the loans.
3.3. WOMEN AND ECONOMIC EMPOWERMENT:
Page 19 of 44
Successful Actions: Government commitment to equip women with various skills through
establishment of women empowerment centers in key States of Lakes, Western Equatoria,
Eastern Equatoria and Jonglei is a very good practice that has gone long way to enabled women
engage in economic activities that is improving their living conditions.
Lessons Learned: The empowerment of women with various productive skills has always not
been followed with start-up capital to enable them join the private sector especially in the
agriculture sector. Stakeholders should develop exit and follow up strategies to support women
graduate with start-up capital that will enable them invest their entrepreneur skills.
Policy and Legislative Changes: Women participation in governance and leadership is fully
provided for under the 2011 Transitional Constitution and re-echoed in the National Gender
Policy. The constitution provide for 25% affirmative action for women and provided for an
inclusive participation of both women and men to stand for political leadership, to vote and
participate in decision making at all levels of government . This has been implemented in the
Executive and the Legislature as provided for in the transitional constitution. The current
representation stands at 33% which is above the constitutional provision of 25 %. The above
success has been achieved because of the mechanism and policies put in place to promote women
leadership. Other states like Lakes state elected more women beyond the required provision in
the constitution.
Table 1: National Assembly and Decision Making Positions by Sex Representation in South
Sudan.
Source: Ministry of Parliamentary Affairs (2011)
Item Female % Male % Total
National Legislative
Assembly
95 29 237 71 332
Council of State
Representative
5 10 45 90 50
Speaker 0 0 1 100 1
Deputy Speaker 1 100 1 100 1
Minister 5 17 24 83 29
Deputy Minister 10 37 17 63 27
Heads of Commissions 2 10 18 90 20
Deputy Heads of
Commissions
4 20 16 80 20
Presidential Advisers 1 14 6 86 7
Undersecretaries 4 12 28 88 32
Total 24.90% 75.03%
3.4. WOMEN AND DECISION MAKING:
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Programs and projects: Through the Electoral Support programme of 2010 and Referendum
Support programme of 2011, the government promoted the participation and engagement of
women as voters, candidates, decision makers to determine the outcome of elections and the
referendum. With over 50% of the voters being Women, their participation had an impact in
determining the outcome of the election and referendum that resulted into the secession of the
South Sudan. Through the support of parliament programmes, the capacity of female and male
legislatures has been strengthened on gender responsive legislation and budgeting. The
legislative assemblies at both national and State level has also witnessed the establishment of key
gender mechanism like the specialized committees, Women Caucus and election of female
speakers.
Government has also initiated women transformative leadership programme for women leaders
of South Sudan. Under the leadership of the Ministry of Gender, the leadership capacity of over
30 women leaders comprising of Presidential advisors, Cabinet Ministers, State Ministers,
Parliamentarians, State Governors, Parliamentary Speakers have been enhanced. The objective
of the programme is geared towards enhancing the leadership skills of South Sudan Women
Leaders to be able to transform and influence their community towards nation building, peace
building initiatives in South Sudan.
Table 6: Registered Voters by State and Sex:
State No. Registered voters Women % Male %
Central Equatoria 537.054 56.9 43.1
Eastern Equatoria 636.774 56.3 43.7
Jonglei 556.980 51.4 48.6
Lakes 383.159 50.8 49.2
Northern Bahr el
Ghazel
457.789 49.1 50.9
Unity 522.196 64.9 35.1
Upper Nile 425.861 55.5 44.5
Warrap 636.741 50.2 49.5
Western Bahr El Ghazel 213.151 57.3 42.7
Western Equatoria 321.183 54.5 45.5
Total 54.7 45.3
Source: StatisticalYearBookforSouthSudan2010:2011
Challenges: High level of illiteracy and lower social status of women in South Sudan reduces their
voices and influence in the public decision making and makes them more dependent on decision
by existing structures. Despite the presence of legal and policy environment, women voices are
not hard as decision making is left under mercy of men or cultural leaders whose decisions are
highly respected and play a vital role in conflict resolution, community mobilization and
development. Inadequate resources for political campaign, is another challenge that women
continue to face in attempt to stand and compete for political leadership
Page 21 of 44
Successful Actions: Transformational Leadership Initiative for the Women of South Sudan is one
of the successful initiative enhancing women leadership skills in governance and decision making.
With the support of partners, the government has institutionalized the transformational
leadership through the establishment of the National Transformational Leadership Institute at
Juba University. The institute will serve as hub of knowledge and research on policies and
programmes for Young women, Women in politics, Public Administration, CSO’s and Private
sector.
Lessons learned: Throughout the CPA and Post-independence period the role of women in
influencing policy decision making has been minimal that women voices are less recognized or
hard. With the support partners, the government will need to increase its investment to enhance
the capacity of women leaders on governance and transformational leadership to equip women
with skills that enable them influence their community with a focus on development and nation
building.
Policy and legislative changes: The government has taken positive steps towards developing
policy and legal frameworks to protect its population especially women and children in the post
conflict country. The transitional constitution, the Child Act, the Penal Code and the National
Gender Policy South Sudan Development Programme are among the key national policy and legal
instrument that define the commitment by government to address gender dimension in conflict
and protection of women and children. The Government has also established institutional
frameworks including the South Sudan Police Service, Ministry of Justice, Human Rights
Commission, DDR Commission, the Bureau for Community Security and Arms Control, Ministry
of Defense and Veteran Affairs, War and Widows Commission, Peace and Reconciliation
Commission. The government has also finally developed the National Action Plan for the
Implementation of UNSCR 1325. The NAPis at the final stage of adoption by Council of ministers.
Program and projects: The Government of the Republic of South Sudan has one of the most
comprehensive genders responsive Disarmament Demobilization and Reintegration (DDR)
Program in the region. The programme has been critical for security and stability in the post-
conflict nation and opened the path to recovery and development. Reintegration is the main
measure of success for DDR as it helps ex-combatants cultivate new economic livelihoods and
ultimately builds new lives and communities. The programme has gender consideration catering
for the needs of women combatants or women associated with the Armed Forces and children
soldiers. In the 1stphases of the programme up to 12,525 combatants were demobilized and
10,926 registered in South Sudan.
The Government has also implemented Community Security and Arms Control (CSAC)
Programmes in the ten States of South Sudan. The programme aims to address the root causes of
armed violence, implement conflict-sensitive development projects and employ peace building
measures at the county level. Following the establishment of the Bureau for Community Security
3.5. WOMEN AND ARMED CONFLICT:
Page 22 of 44
and Small Arms Control (BCSSAC), the government implemented a number of conflict-sensitive
development projects from Mechanized farming, through the provision of tractors, that helped
increase the harvest during the first year by an estimated additional 3,000 feddans in two
counties in Eastern Equatoria, reported a direct increase in household income and a reduction in
sexual/gender-based violence amongst members of women’s groups who now farm within the
protection of their own community.
Challenges: Fragility of the peace due to external and internal unresolved differences,
marginalization of some groups of women in DDR implementation and limitation of capacity and
resource to support transaction from armed conflict to security and peace. The state level
government also still lacks full presence in different parts of the counties and Payams, State
institution like the police force, prisons and other services are largely only accessible in town and
urban areas, leaving rural areas underserviced.
Much as the government has made great strides in consolidating its authority in different parts of
the country since attaining full independence, a lot of task is still required in remote areas within
different states that are still remain inaccessible and fraught with insurgents’.
The Re-integration of the former SPLA soldiers and other combatants with proper needs
assessment and screening into police force has proven a big challenge in the implementation of
security and enforcement of law and order. This has widened the capacity gaps for human rights
protection and gender responsiveness on the part of police and prisons agents. The enforcement
of laws on women’s and children’s rights still remains particularly weak and this has had a very
serious impact on rights and development opportunities for citizens particularly for vulnerable
and disadvantaged groups like women, children and persons with disabilities (PWDs).
Successful Action: With support from development partners, the Government has developed
the South Sudan National Action Plan UNSCR 1325 that will ensure the participation of women
in the key decision making process particularly related to peace and security and in preventing,
managing and resolving conflict and also contributing to state building. This has created an
enabling environment for women to participate in leadership and political processes within the
country.
Lessons Learned: The legacy of the past conflicts has left the country deeply hurt which requires
a comprehensive and inclusive transitional justice and reconciliation mechanism to address
existing grievances and reconcile the nation. This also calls for conflict sensitivity in governance,
even while taking steps to restore the rule of law, achieve justice and ensure accountability for
gender based violence and other violence.
Policy and legislative changes: The Republic of South Sudan took the initiative to acknowledge
and domesticate fundamental rights of women under the bill of rights in both the interim
constitution and the transitional constitution. The young nation has ratified the United Nation
3.6. WOMEN AND FUNDAMENTAL RIGHTSENVIRONMENT:
Page 23 of 44
Convention on the Right of Children (CRC) and adopted the Beijing Declaration and Platform for
Action. The process of ratifying and domesticating some of the relevant international convention
including the CEDAW is at the advanced stage. The implementation of some of these international
and national instruments has provided opportunity for the adoption of polices that respect and
advance the equality of women in South Sudan. Some of the international conventions that South
Sudan is committed to ratify include:; the Convention on The Elimination of all Forms of
Discrimination Against Women (CEDAW), the Conventions on Cultural and Civic Rights, The
Convention on Social, Economic and Political Rights. Domestically we have; the Transitional
Constitution, the Land Act, the General Education Act, and the Child Act (2008).
Programs and Projects: The government with the support of partners has implemented several
rule of law projects with the goal of promoting good governance in which all persons, institutions
and entities, public and private, including the State itself, are accountable to laws of South Sudan
and to ensure respect for the human rights of every individual, including women and
marginalized groups. The government under the leadership of the Ministry of Justice has initiated
the comprehensive rule of law programme covering institutional capacity building in the rule of
law sector, including the Judiciary, Ministry of Justice, police and corrections and harmonization
of customary law with statutory law and protection of human rights. The has opened National
Customary Law Centre and completed ascertainment study of Customary Law in 14 Communities
in South Sudan, established six Justice and Confidence Centers to increase citizens’ access to
justice and construction of the Juba University College of Law.
Successful Action: The government with support from development partners created in
programs that addresses the capacity development by creating a special protection Unit within
the South Sudan Police service and trained a number of personnel to be deployed in that Unit. In
2013 the special protection unit received 2,403 cases, 2,140 cases were effectively investigated
and passed to court for redress. 423 women and 178 Juveniles were released from places of
detention through the involvement of the Special protection Units.
Challenges: There are gaps in the transitional constitution, there is no Law in the parliament
giving effect to the principles of marriageable age of men and women, legal gaps and influence of
Islamic and cultural practices that perpetuates lower social status of women and girls, means they
continue to face inequality in the right to marry and found a family. The transitional constitution
stills does not have laws that combat harmful practices that undermines the dignity and status of
women like marital rape, the polygamy, property and inheritance rights.
In adequate well trained and experienced judges, lawyers, police and prison staff is still major
challenge in the rule of law sector. As a result the population has little confidence in these
institutions, and they have little information about the formal legal framework and rely instead
on customary mechanisms.
3.7. WOMEN AND ENVIRONMENT:
Page 24 of 44
Policy and legislative changes: In order to provide every citizens with the opportunity to
participate in the protection of the environment and the decision makers and resources users to
make correct choices from among viable option for sustainable utilization of the resources the
Republic of South Sudan has adopted and implemented a National Environmental Policy, National
Forestry Policy and established the Ministry of Petroleum, Mining and Environment, Ministry of
Agriculture and Forestry to oversee the implementation of the policies. The policies among
others, recognizes the important roles played by women in providing water, fuel, firewood,
practicing subsistence farming and other vital services to their community and households.
Programs and Projects: Based on evolving environmental needs and priorities the Government
with support of partners has developed priority pilot programmes including formulation,
dissemination and implementation of critical policy guidance at the national and state level, such
as the draft Environmental Bill, and on compliance with multilateral environmental agreements
(MEAs).The government has started the Integration of environmental impact assessments in
humanitarian and development projects through capacity building and by including socio
economic and environmental concerns in development planning; Proper management of
municipal waste in Juba and other major towns through the development of policy and regulatory
frameworks and public-private partnership in waste management and re-cycling; Integrated
water resource and wetlands management; Conservation of biodiversity by strengthening
wildlife conservation programmes and strengthening protected area management initiatives.
Currently piloting two 12-month community forestry projects in Central and Eastern Equatoria
states engaging both women and men in the implementation of the project. The objective is to
acquire hands-on experience in natural forest management with local communities.
Challenges: However, in recent years an estimated 70 percent of forest cover has been lost
throughout the country as a result of accelerating deforestation due to wood being collected for
fuel, charcoal production, livestock, agriculture, bricks, and collection of construction materials.
Successful Actions: It’s critical that women and girls are empowered to effective resource
managers through capacity building and having access to both educational opportunities and
information on environmental guidance and leadership roles in the community in managing of
the environment.
Policy and legislative changes: The construction efforts ensuing from the peace agreement offer
a timely opportunity to apply international resources and local capacity in establishing SGBV
prevention and response programming and policies. The Government has put in place relevant
national provisions and programs that relate to violence against women and girls. These
provision include; the Transitional Constitution, the Child Act, Penal Code, Police Code of
Conduct, National Gender Policy, GBV prevention, protection and responds and standard
operation Procedure. In order to enforce these polices, strategies and laws, the government has
also established Institutional arrangements like the Ministry of Interior ( South Sudan Police
3.8. VIOLENCE AGAINST WOMEN:
Page 25 of 44
Service), Ministry of Justice, Ministry of Gender, Child and Social Welfare, Human Rights
Commission to oversee the implementation and respond to violence against women. The
transitional constitution for example under chapter 2 part 2 Article 19 prohibits forced marriage
without the free and full consent of the man and women intending to marry. The Child Act section
23 also provides for the protection of children from early marriage while the Penal Code section
237 makes forced marriages punishable by imprisonment up to 10 years, and/ or a fine.
Programs and projects: In order for the police to respond VAW, the Government has established
the Police Special Protection Unit at the Directorate of Social Welfare in the SSPS at the national
and State level to provide an enabling environment for the promotion and protection of victims
of VAW, prosecute perpetrators of VAW, contribute to percentage reduction on the incidence of
VAW, and increase police responsiveness to community concerns. With the support of the
National SPU task force, the government has established 10 Special Protection Units across the
ten States with existing police stations. The government also trained up 120 police officers to
lead the initiative which as a consequence has led to a shift in percentage change in the
investigation and report on VAW.
Since 2005, the Government has implemented a robust security sector reform within the various
security sector institutions in the country ranging from the Police, Prison and the Army. Since
2005, series of reform programmes to promote law enforcement targeting police and prisons to
addresses standards, policies and capacity development including training and curricula
development and law reforms, rehabilitation and construction to establish physical structures for
the agencies. The establishment of Southern Sudan Police Training Academy (Dr. John Garang
Unified Training Academy) has the recruited an average of up to 10,000 Police male and 2000
female officers since 2011. This has contributed to strong and professional police institutional as
an effective tool for good governance and effective law enforcement.
Successful Actions: The establishment of SPU Unit across the ten State of South Sudan, National
standard operating procedures(SOP) for Protection, Prevention and Response to GBV.
Challenges: Although these provisions would guarantee protection of children against early and
forced marriages, their enforcement remains a challenge (as discussed under the Rule of Law).
While the police and courts are the formal enforcement structures for social protection, the
practice is different. Traditional justice mechanisms that are predominantly patriarchal are
mainly used, contrary to the legal provisions relating to criminal justice. According to the Local
Government Act, Customary courts are prohibited from handling criminal cases. Traditional
methods are not supposed to be used in cases of forced marriage. Harmful traditional practices
like child marriage and attitudes that stigmatizes the victims instead of the perpetrators are some
of the challenges that need to be addressed.
Abuse by security forces is one major challenge on violence against women. 2011 survey carried
out by one of the development partner on safety and access to justice, indicates that in the three
of the six states surveyed, threats to women from SPLA were identified as a major concern and
challenges with acts of assault and sexual assault.
Page 26 of 44
While figures are unreliable, violence against women and girls is an endemic problem in South
Sudan. Services for survivors of violence are severely lacking, women and girls have few ways to
report violence, and even fewer options for care. These threats are rooted in women’s lack of
empowerment and economic independence, and are deeply embedded in cultural and customary
practices.
Lesson Learned: For a long period of time, VAW and GBV in South Sudan are issues surrounded
by silence and denial. Therefore additional investment must be made in prevention, without
sacrificing programmes that provide essential services to survivors. This should be followed by
developing longer-term initiatives that address deep-seated power inequalities in South Sudan.
Such programmes should include livelihoods programming designed to reduce women’s
vulnerability to violence, as well as to cope with the social and economic consequences of such
violence.
Policy and legislative changes: The right to health is guaranteed under the Transitional
Constitution (Article 31). Through the National Health Policy, the government is addressing
health pressing issues such as providing adequate ante-natal care and immunization services. The
government of the Republic of South Sudan has developed health policies, health sector
development plan (2011-2015) in fulfillment of its duty to address the health challenges that
undermines women and men’s right. Under the South Sudan development plan (SSDP) also needs
to take concrete interventions on promoting reproductive health through birth control and child
spacing. Critical issues that South Sudan is still grappling with in light of strong cultural practices
and values.
Programs and projects: Since 2005, government has been committed to intensify investment
in essential health care services including reduction of child mortality rate, immunization
programs, family planning and primary health care, all these are to specifically improves the
health of women and children in South Sudan so that they are rendered productive to the
economy of the country. One key government programme is the Health System Strengthening
with the support from the Global Fund; the government builds well equipped ten ante-natal
clinics, eight laboratories, five maternity wards, five monitoring and evaluation facilities, four
community resource centers, three blood banks and two teaching institutions in South Sudan.
The programme further contributes to capacity building and deployment of medical personnel.
Up to 500 staffs have been training in midwifery, nursing, blood safety, Universal Precautions and
infection control and pharmaceutical management. Apart from benefiting women at service
delivery level, the capacity building has consideration of gender dimension.
Government HIV/AIDS Prevention and Care programme has benefited the largest proportion of
women living with HIV and pregnant mothers under the prevention of mother to child
programme. Over 538 HIV positive pregnant mother are receiving a complete course of anti-
retroviral prophylaxis to reduce the risk of mother to child transmission; Over 16,000 sex
workers and over 160,000 people with high risk behaviors (members of uniformed services,
3.9. WOMEN AND HEALTH:
Page 27 of 44
women in informal trade activities, displaced persons, transport operators); and over 154,481
young people have been reached with HIV & AIDS prevention services.
Successful Action: The Government with the commitments and support from development
partners have constructed, rehabilitated antenatal clinics/maternity wards, community health
centers targeting mainly pregnant women in South Sudan, and besides also supported drug
supply and diagnostics testing for TB and HIV/AIDS. According to International women’s day,
newsletter (March 2014). 566,000 pregnant mothers who previously had no access to modern
and improved are facilities benefited. This is just one successful action among others that the
Government of the Republic of South Sudan has registered in regards to promoting Gender
equality and women’s empowerment in the health sector.
Challenges: In spite of these efforts, South Sudan has the worst health indicators due to the long
period of protracted conflict. The rate of child mortality is one of the highest in the world at
150/1000; under-five mortality rate is at 250/1000, meaning that out of every four children born,
one is likely to die before reaching the age of five. The maternal mortality rate is at 2054 per 100
000 live births and is considered to be the highest in Sub-Saharan Africa7. Contraceptive use is as
low as 4.7% and family planning and child spacing are not considered
Poor and few health care facilities, shortage of specialized mother and child health workers
including nurses and mid wives. This is aggravated by the long distance to health facilities and
poor roads. Health infrastructures are among the poorest in region with few and inadequate
health equipment. There is a general shortage and sometimes lack of specialized mother and child
health workers, including nurses and midwives. This is made worse by lack of information and
access by rural women on safe motherhood and child health services such as ante-natal care
among others
Policy and Legislative changes: South Sudan took various policy and programmatic steps since
it gained semi-autonomy from Sudan in 2005 and independence in 2011 to increase school
enrolment, including advancing the rights of girls to education. Promulgation and adoption of the
transitional Constitution, the child Act (2008), General Education Bill (2012) and Education
Policy are very positive commitment that the government has undertaken to promote the Girl
Child education in South Sudan. Both the Child Act and Transitional Constitution provide for the
right to free and compulsory primary education. The Child Act also explicitly states that no girl
can be expelled from school due to pregnancy and that young mothers must be allowed to
continue their education. To its credit, the government of South Sudan has identified education
7 Southern Sudan Health Sector Development Plan (2011), as quoted in the CGA
3.10. THE GIRL CHILD:
Page 28 of 44
as a priority in its development plan. The creation of the Gender and Equality department in the
Ministry of education also is one good initiative to advance the gender equality.
The Child Act provides general principles related to right of a child, the right to education, health,
social activity among others. This is because young girls in South Sudan faces extreme
disadvantage in education, girls are less likely to enter schools and drop out of the school and also
more likely die in early pregnancy. The ministry of Education, science and Technology has a policy
framework (2006-2007) in place whose vision is to provide education for all. The policy
recognizes basic education as a right, compulsory and free.
Programs and Projects: With the support of partners, Government has put in place institution
strengthening programme to promote education including girl child in South Sudan. This has
been achieved through building the Education Sector Policy and Planning which includes the
passing and adoption of bills and policy in the education sector, improving evidence-based
decision making, planning and budgeting through the strengthening of the Education
Management Information System (EMIS). The second component is Improving Quality of
Education through creation of safe space, inclusive and gender sensitive, protective and healthy
environment conducive for education most especially girls. According to (NHHS), the ratio of girls
to Boys in primary schools education in 2008 was 58.6% in 2009 and in 2010, there was increase
of girls in primary education 59.30% registering an increase of 0.7 percent from2009 to 2010.
The government has also adopted advocacy strategy under the ‘Go to School” initiative for
children including girl to go to school in South Sudan. The ‘Go to School’ initiative, launched by
the government in April 2006, has been the biggest achievement to date, enabling the enrolment
of more than 1.6 million, up from an estimated 343,000 before the signing of Comprehensive
Peace Agreement (CPA) in 2005 that ended decades of civil war. Various media campaign and
awareness initiative involving young girls themselves on talk shows discussing issues affecting
them. In western Equatorial state, state government has put up a campaign for advancing the girl
child education by involving the local chiefs to move from village to village to spread the national
message of educating the young girls. Chief’s involvement is paramount in their state policy for
education for young girls. Through the Alternative Education Programme, the government is
offering opportunity citizens who have not had access to formal education, including pregnant
girls and mothers, the opportunity to go to school. In 2011, close to 70,000 girls and women went
to school under this programme.
Successful Actions: With support from part partners, Government of South Sudan (GoSS) and
state Ministries have successfully introduced and implemented the Empowering Village
Education (EVE) programme since 2008. The programme adopted a community-based
approach to provide support for 100 of the most disadvantaged primary schools and
communities in four of the ten states of South Sudan (Lakes, Central Equatoria, Western
Equatoria and Jonglei). One key objective of the p r o g r a m m e i s to improve the
enrolment and retention of girls in the project schools. A number of project activities were
designed to help achieve this objective including advocacy training, the development of
relevant teaching and learning materials, community managed school development grants
Page 29 of 44
and an innovative “School Mother” scheme.
Western Equatoria
The percentage of girls enrolled in EVE schools in Western Equatoria increased from 38.7 % to
40.7% (Table 13). In comparison, state data showed the percentage of girls decreased by 0.2%
between 2008 and 2010 for schools in the state as a whole. EVE schools were based in Yambio
and Nzara counties. According to EMIS data, there was an increase of just 0.2% in the proportion
of girls in primary schools in these two counties. In contrast, in EVE schools the proportion of
girls has increased by 2%. EMIS data shows that Western Equatoria was the only one of the four
states to record a decrease in total enrolment between 2008 and 2010. 14% fewer pupils were
enrolled in the state in 2010 compared to 2008.
Central Equatoria
For EVE schools in Central Equatoria the percentage of girls as a proportion of total enrolment
increased from 38.7 to 42.9% an increase of 4.2% (Table 10). In comparison, state data indicates
that the percentage of girls in primary schools in Central Equatoria increased from 43.9 to 46.1%,
an increase of just 2.2%. The EVE schools in Central Equatoria were all located in Juba County.
EMIS data for Juba County shows that the percentage of girls in the county increased by 3.5% still
below the increase in EVE schools.
Jonglei
In Jonglei, there was a 2.3% increase in the percentage of girls in EVE schools compared to 2.5%
for schools in the state as a whole (Table 11). The increase in the percentage of girls for the state
as a whole appears to be concentrated in four counties of the state: Akobo, Old Fangak, Pibor and
Porchalla. EVE schools, however, were located in different counties: Bor, Twic East and Duk
counties (counties that face some of the greatest challenges in education provision and hence why
they were appointed to the EVE project). In these counties, there was an increase of just 1.1% in
the percentage of girls in primary schools, compared to the 2.3% increase in EVE schools.
Lakes
In Lakes State, the percentage of girls in EVE schools increased from 22.2 to 25.5 % (Table 12) an
increase of 3.3%. In comparison, state data shows that the proportion of girls enrolled within the
state as a whole decreased by 1.3% between 2008 and 2010. EVE schools in Lakes State were
based in five counties: Rumbek East, Rumbek Central, Wulu, Yirol West and Yirol East. Overall,
the percentage of girls in primary schools in these counties decreased by 1.5%.
Challenges: Despite these efforts, providing quality education in South Sudan is not an easy task.
Government statistics for 2011 show that only 39 percent of primary school students and 30
percent of secondary students are female. The new country faces substantial development and
humanitarian challenges, and education is no exception. Internal insecurity and conflict also
continue to disrupt education. School infrastructure is underdeveloped, and the country has few
trained teachers. Young girl in South Sudan faces a lot of challenges, too much work at home which
Page 30 of 44
makes it hard for the young girls to concentrate at schools, in addition to that, parents go ahead
arranging for the marriage of their daughter without their consent (under the law, consent of a
young girl which has not reach a marriageable age is considered immaterial and criminal).
Sexual harassment by teachers and the community is another challenge to girls education, poor
sanitation among girls undermine the retention of girl child especially, lack of sanitary facilities
for girls and lack of water at schools. For example in 2009, 51% of the primary schools lacked
water, while 52% had no toilet facilities and this affects young girls, especially when they are in
their menstrual period and consequently discourages them from attending school regularly
According to government statistics, close to half – 48 percent – of South Sudanese girls ages 15 to
19 are married, with some marrying as young as 12. Many girls in South Sudan do not attend
school at all or don’t complete their education as they are married off by their families for a
number of reasons including receiving cows, money and other gifts. Young girls are being used
for selling food in the market and the street and as a result they are exposed to sexual
exploitations and ends up not attending schools and early pregnancy.
Table 7: Essential Statistics
1 Gross primary enrolment rate 69% (boy’s 82%/girls 55%)
2 Net primary enrolment rate 44% (boy’s 51%/girls 37%)
3 Gender parity index (primary) 0.59
4 Gross pre-primary school enrolment rate 6% (boys’ 5.5%/girls 5.7%)
5 Net pre-primary school enrolment rate 2% (boys’ 2%/girls 2%)
6 Primary completion rate 10% (boys’ 14%/girls 6%)
7 Children aged 6–11 out of school 1,022,100 (64%)
Source: Sudan Household and Health Survey 2010 and EMIS 2011
Lesson learned: As a young nation, strengthening girls’ access to education requires positive
steps to curb child marriage. This should include enforcing the existing laws on child marriage,
and developing and carrying out comprehensive programmes that address the root causes of
child marriage. South Sudan needs a national action plan on child marriage to ensure a
coordinated and effective response. Marriage needs also need to be specified in law.
Policy and Legislative changes: South Sudan recently endorsed three Media Bills 2013 marking
important next steps in the countries nascent democratic development. The Bills makes
3.11. WOMEN AND MEDIA:
Page 31 of 44
important steps forward for press freedom and information in South Sudan. For long the media
professional have been operating in a legal vacuum. The Bills are namely. The media authority
bill, The Broadcasting and corporation Bill and the Access to information Bills. This created a good
opportunity for disadvantage and vulnerable people in South Sudan among them the widows,
orphan and other women and children to voice their say in the media on issues that touché their
lives. Severely vulnerable and disadvantage groups appear to be hoping for good with the coming
of this bills after a long marginalization during the civil wars that lasted for decades in South
Sudan.
Programs and Projects: The Ministry of information has been involved in the capacity building
programs targeting media organization like the Association of Media women in South Sudan
(AMWSS), The Association of Media development in South Sudan (AMDISS) and other media
institution by offering training to build their efforts and ensure their participation in media issues.
The national organization for women, (AMWSS) benefited from this program. The United Nation
Education , scientific and cultural organization (UNESCO) have supported the coordination efforts
in the media field in South Sudan by bringing on board the media houses like the Foundation
Hirondalle, BBC media actions, InterNews, AMDISS and AMWSS.
Successful Actions: The endorsement of the three media Bills has created an enabling
environment for the people of south Sudan, especially the vulnerable groups including the women
to voiced their concerns in the media and as a result increased in their participation in the media
issues
Challenges: How journalists report and present social issues greatly influences public opinion
and, by extension, national discourse. This is equally true of gender issues. Women in South Sudan
are marginalized and experience discrimination in all aspects of life. Reflecting this, the portrayal
of women in the media in South Sudan is generally limited to women as weak, victims and passive
agents while men are depicted as proactive and strong leaders. Such gender stereotyping justifies
gender discrimination more broadly and reinforces and perpetuates historical and structural
patterns of discrimination. The absence of media programme at higher institutions of learning in
South Sudan like in Juba University also limits the chance of women joining the profession and
being involved in advancing their plight. In the word of the Executive Director of Association of
Media women in South Sudan ‘’ That many times, especially in print media in South Sudan, you will
find a picture of a woman on a front page of a newspaper when she is raped or butchered. But when
she does good things, she is not recognized. This is typical marginalization” (Appolina, Executive
Director of AMWSS)
Policy and Legislative changes: The Government of the Republic of South Sudan has put in place
institutional mechanism at both national and sub national level to lead, coordinate, provide
strategic and oversight support and hold stakeholders accountable in advancing gender equality
and the empowerment of women interventions in the country. At the national level they include;
The Presidential Advisor on Gender and Human Rights in the Office of the President; Specialize
3.12. INSTITUTIONAL MECHANISM FOR ADVANCEMENT OF WOMEN.
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Committee On Gender, Child, Social Welfare, Youth and Sports; National Women Parliamentary
Caucus; Ministry of Gender, Child and Social Welfare, State Ministry of Gender and Social
Development , State Women Parliamentary Caucus; national and gender focal persons.
Programs and Projects: The Ministry of Gender, Child and Social Welfare is one key major
institutions that is fulfilling its constitutional obligation to lead, coordinate, provide strategic
oversight and hold stakeholders accountable on all gender interventions in South Sudan. The
Ministry was founded with a vision of creating just and free society-a society free from all forms
of discrimination and violence; promoting a country in which women, men and children enjoy
their human rights on the basis of equality and non-discrimination. The Ministry has well
developed functional structure consisting of five directorates; Directorate of Gender and Social
Welfare, Directorate of Disability and Rehabilitation, Directorate of Planning, Research and
Documentation and Directorate of Finance and Administration. With the technical assistance
from partners, the Ministry leads the National Gender Coordination Forum and National Social
Protection Working Group. The Ministry is also providing strategic and policy advice in the
implementation of the National Gender Policy at National and Sub national level, mainstreaming
gender into government strategy and programmes, provide technical assistance on gender
related issues to all government institutions.
Challenges: The institutional mechanism still has weak institutional capacity to effectively fulfill
their institutional mandate and implement their institutional programme. Unreliable
institutional budget also hamper their performance.
Successful Actions: The effective coordination mechanisms put in place to effectively coordinate,
lead, provider strategic policy advice and hold stakeholders accountable are key successful
actions in advancing gender equality in South Sudan.
INSTITUTIONAL DEVELOPMENT AND MEASURES ADOPTED TOPROMOTE GENDER
EQUALITY AND WOMEN EMPOWERMENT:
South Sudan has put in place a number of measures and mechanism to promote Gender equality
and the empowerment of women’s at both national and sub national level.
National &Sub national Gender machinery: National Gender machinery is a set of coordinated
structure that is engaged in the promotion of Gender equality. It’s an important system that
oversees the diverse interest of the women and men in the spheres of national life, political, social,
and economic and cultural. The main function is to monitor and to ensure that Gender equality
principles are mainstreamed in all legislations, policies and programs and projects. The
machinery is composed of the following key stakeholders:-
Table 8: National &Sub national Gender Machinery
# Designation Mother Institution
Page 33 of 44
1 Presidential advisor for Gender and human rights from
the office of the president
Office of the President
2 Specialized Committee for Gender, Child, Social Welfare,
Youth and Sports
National Legislative Assembly
3 National Women Parliamentary Caucus National Legislative Assembly
State Committee for Gender and Social Welfare
4 State Women Parliamentary Caucus, State Legislative Assembly
5 Ministry of Gender, Child and Social Welfare. Council of Ministers
6 Directorate of Gender and Child Welfare. Ministry of Gender, Child and Social
Welfare
Gender Management/Coordination Mechanism. This is to ensure coordination and
monitoring of gender thematic programs and project activities being implemented for the
promotion of gender equality and empowerment of women and include the following:-
Table 9: Gender Management systems.
# Designation Mother Institution
Social and Human Development Cluster Council of Minister
1 National Gender Coordination Forum Ministry of Gender, Child and Social Welfare
2 National Social Protection Technical Working Group Ministry of Gender, Child and Social Welfare
3 National Special Protection Unit - Task Force Ministry of Interior
National GBV Sub-Cluster Ministry of Gender, Child and Social Welfare
4 National Steering Committee on the Implementation
of 1325 NAP
Ministry of Gender, Child and Social Welfare
5
6
Sexual Exploitation & Abuse Task Force
Social and Human Development cluster
Ministry of Gender, Child and Social Welfare
Ministry of Gender, child and social welfare.
Gender coordination Forum (GCF), composed of the all thematic groups, meet quarterly and
chaired by the minister of Gender
Page 34 of 44
GBV/sub cluster forum, composed of GBV stakeholders, meet twice a month, chaired by Minister
of gender and co-chair by UNFPA
Sexual exploitation and abuse (PSEA) Task force composed of stakeholders and meet monthly,
chaired by the minister, co-chair by UNMISS/ conduct and discipline unit
National steering committee established for developing South Sudan national action plan
(SSNAP) for the implementation of the UNSCR 1325, women and peace and security, composed
of key line ministry, UN agency and civil society.
Page 35 of 44
4.0 MEASURES ADOPTED TO PROMOTE GENDER EQUALITY AND WOMEN EMPOWERMENT:
4.1 South Sudan Capacity Development Strategy
The SSCDS is a road map to capacity challenges for South Sudan. The strategy considers gender equality and gender mainstreaming as an integral part of its implementation. With over 80% of women illiterate in South Sudan, the strategy recognizes the need build the capacity of women at all level.
4.2 National Gender Policy and Strategic Plan
The policy commitment is to ensure that gender equality is an integral part of all policies, programs and activities of all government institutions and agencies, the private sector and civil society at all level of government.
4.3 National Action Plan for the Implementation of UNSCR 1325
The implementation pf the NAP will ensurewomen’sparticipationinalllevelsofdecisionmakingandtoaddresstheirgenderspecificsecurityneeds in South Sudan. Translating the NAP into practice will representanimportantandambitioustaskthatcouldpotentiallyhaveastrongimpact to addressandreduceSGBVandviolenceagainstwomenandgirls(VAWG)andimprovementstogenderinclusivehumansecurityin South Sudan
4.4 South Sudan Development Plan 2014-2016
As medium term development plan, the SSDP is a pro-poor and gender sensitive plan that have commitment to ensure meaningful impact on the poor and vulnerable group especially women and children. To also make sure that public policies, programmes and resource allocations are gender responsive.
4.5
Establishment of Gender Focal Persons in Government Institutions
The Gender Focal Person play an advisory function in their respective institutions to mainstream gender in strategies and programmes
4.6
Gender Advisor in the Office of the President
Provide strategic policy advice to the President and the office of the President on human rights and gender equality. This office is continued commitment by the government leadership to embrace gender in all government leadership decision.
4.7 Specialized Committee for Gender, Child , Social Welfare, Youth and Sports
The Committee is mandated to monitor and promote measures designed to enhance equalization of opportunities and improvement in the quality of life and status of women and including marginalized groups on the basis of gender, age (elderly, youth, and children) disability or any other reason created by history, tradition or custom for the purpose of redressing imbalances which exist against them.
4.8 The National Women Parliamentary Caucus
The Caucus plays key role in ensuring that all female legislatures advocate and promote gender responsive legislation in all the specialized committees and other functions they play in the National Legislative Assembly.
Page 36 of 44
5.0. KEY CHALLENGES REMAINING AND PLANS FOR FUTURE ACTIONS:
The section highlight the remaining challenges to be addressed for complete and full
implementation of each of the priority areas as indicated in the Beijing platform for Action (1995)
and other additional actions as highlighted in the Twenty-third Special sessions of the UN general
assembly (2000).
# KEY CHALLENGES ACTION TO ADDRESS THEM.
5.1
Women and Illiteracy
Effective implementation and rolling out of Empowering Village Education
(EVE) programmes to other state in South Sudan, will have substantive
contribution to reduce illiteracy of women in South Sudan. The GO TO SCHOOL
programme is another proactive programme that government is implementing
to response to high illiteracy rate of rural population including women in South
Sudan. This also being supplemented by the National Adult Literacy Function
Skills training programme, Alternative Education Programme and Girl Child
Education Programme.
5.2
Women and Abject Poverty
The continuous implementation of the South Sudan Development Plan by both
government and development partners will serve as key pro-poor medium
development strategy for the provision of basic services to women. Some key
government institutions including the ministry of Agriculture, Education and
Health have successfully integrated the SSDP priorities into their sectoral
programmes.
5.3
Maternal Health
The current health strengthening system being implemented across the ten
States of South Sudan by the Ministry of health is having tremendous impact in
saving the lives of mothers and children. This is being supplemented by
HIV/AIDS and TB Preventive programmes.
5.4 Women, Peace and Security The adoption and implementation of the NAP 1325 will provide an opportunity
to promote women participation and meet the needs of women in conflict at
national and sub national level.
5.5 Under- Representation of
Women
The adoption by government of Women Transformational leadership initiative
for the women of South Sudan is very key important step in empowering and
promoting women participation in leadership and governance. With the support
of partners, the national Ministry of Gender and Juba University is in the process
of establishing the National Transformational Leadership Institute (NLTI).
Page 37 of 44
6.0 NEW COMMITMENTS/KEY PRIORITY FOR ACTION:
New Commitment Priority Focus Areas
6.1 UNSCR 1325 National Action Plan Finalized the adoption of NAP and its
implementation
6.2 South Sudan Development Initiative
(SSDI)
Capacity Development Action Plan
Resource Mobilization Strategy
Infrastructural Development Strategy
Agriculture Development Strategy
Micro- Economic Outlook
6.3 South Sudan New Deal Compact which is
at the stage of adoption
Inclusive Politics, Security, Justice, Economic
Foundation, Revenue and Services
6.4 South Sudan National Social Protection
Policy which at the stage of adoption
Protecting Poor and Vulnerable People through
Social Assistance
Child Support Grant (CSG)
School Feeding Programme (SFP)
War Veterans Grant (WVG)
Foster Family Grant (FFG)
Scholarship Programme
Promoting the Participation of Poor and Vulnerable
People in National Economic Growth
Safety Net Programme:
Vocational Skills Development Programme
6.5
Security Sector Reform (SSR)
In South Sudan National Police Service (NPS).
Focuses on mainstreaming gender aspect in the
security sector with emphasis on recruitment,
retention and promotion of female officers in the
sector.
6.6
South Sudan National Gender Policy
Focuses on mainstreaming gender in all
programmes and strategies of government
institutions with emphasis on governance and
leadership, women economic empowerment and
peace and security.
6.7
Ratification of the CEDAW
To be finally submitted to National Legislative
Assembly for approval in order to effect its
implementation
Page 38 of 44
7.0. OPPORTUNITIES:
Following the declaration of Independence on the 11th July 2011, this marked an end to decades
of conflicts as well as socio economic and political marginalization. The independence thus
opened windows of opportunities for women’s political Socio- economic and cultural
empowerment of women.
7.1 The Post-2015 Development Agenda also presents an opportunity for the government of
South Sudan to be able to further advocate for advancement of gender equality and women
empowerment with the country just three years old after independence. The government has
an opportunity.
7.2 The ratification of key international instrument including the CEDAW which is yet to be
approved by parliament presents a key opportunity for the government and key stakeholders
to advocate for gender equality and promote the rights of women.
7.3 The adoption of 1325 NAP will promote and ensure women’s participation in all levels of
decision making and to address their gender specific security needs.
7.4 The ongoing conflict ushers an opportunity for advancing the voice of women currently
affected by conflict. The current engagement of South Sudan Women in the negotiation
process, national peace and reconciliation process is a positive step in promoting women
participation peace process.
7.5 The adoption of the National Social Protection Policy framework will provide a guiding
framework to implement various social protection programmes that will address efforts by
the Government to reduce poverty and the vulnerability of the population to economic, social,
and natural shocks and stresses. It will play an important role in increasing access to social
welfare services – not only for those with no predictable income but also for those in
employment and the self-employed who need a financial cushion against future risks such as
loss of employment, injury at work, loss of assets, or sickness.
7.6 Effective utilization of the existing Gender machinery at national and sub national level would
strengthen the operationalization of national policies, laws, strategies and programmes for
gender interventions.
7.7 The effective institutionalization and operationalization of National GBV Standard Operation
Procedures at national and sub national.
Page 39 of 44
ANNEXES TO REPORT:
3.9 million, 48% of the population in South Sudan are women (SSCCSE, 2011)
While global gender parity in primary school has been officially achieved in South
Sudan, only 37.1% of the enrolled students are girls (SSSY, 2011).
Risk of pregnancy and child birth is the leading cause of death for girls aged 15-19 in
developing countries (WHO, MAY 2012). South Sudan has the highest maternal
mortality rate in the world at 2,054 per 100,000 live births (SSHHS, 2006).
Morality, gender and Marriage related crimes constitute the third highest reported
crimes in South Sudan (SSNPS, CSR 2012-2013).
Table 1. Education variable by sex:
Literate by sex Male Female
Literate 59.8 40.2
Illiterate 44.2 55.8
Currently attending 59.8 40.5
Previously attending 60.4 39.6
Never attended 44.2 55.8
No qualification 44.6 55.4
Primary qualification 59.9 40.1
Secondary qualification 67.7 32.3
Tertiary Qualification 72.9 29.1
Total 48.5 51.5
Source: NBS (Department of social and demographic statistics, 2013)
TABLE4:TotalenrolmentinEVEschoolsbygradeandgenderin2008
2008 P1 P2 P3 P4 P5 P6 P7 P8 Total
Boys 5,806 3,043 2,456 1,580 1,118 760 435 248 15,446
Girls 3,524 1,545 1,107 808 437 269 78 31 7,799
Total 9,330 4,588 3,563 2,388 1,555 1,029 513 279 23,245
%Girls 37.8% 33.7% 31.1% 33.8% 28.1% 26.1% 15.2% 11.1% 33.6%
TABLE4:Total enrolment in EVE schools by grade and gender in 2008
2008 P1 P2 P3 P4 P5 P6 P7 P8 T
o
t
a
l
Boys 5,806 3,043 2,456 1,580 1,118 760 435 248 1
5
,
4
4
6
Girls 3,524 1,545 1,107 808 437 269 78 31 7
,
7
9
9
Annex 1. Key statistics:
Page 40 of 44
POVERTY PROFILE BY AGE AND GENDER
Percentage
of the
population
Percentage
of the poor
Poverty
incidence
Total Male Female Total Male Female Total Male Female
Southern
Sudan 100.0 48.9 51.1 100.0 48.4 51.6 50.6 50.1 51.0
Less than
15 47.8 24.2 23.6 49.2 25.0 24.3 52.1 52.3 51.9
15-24 17.7 8.3 9.4 17.1 8.0 9.1 48.9 48.9 49.0
25-34 13.2 5.7 7.5 12.3 5.1 7.3 47.5 44.9 49.4
35-44 9.1 4.2 5.0 8.9 3.8 5.0 49.1 46.7 51.1
45-60 8.8 4.8 4.0 8.9 4.8 4.1 51.2 50.6 51.8
Total 9,330 4,588 3,563 2,388 1,555 1,029 513 279 2
3
,
2
4
5
%Girls 37.8% 33.7% 31.1% 33.8% 28.1% 26.1% 15.2% 11.1% 3
3
.
6
%
TABLE5:TotalenrolmentinEVEschoolsbygradeandgenderin2010
2010 P1 P2 P3 P4 P5 P6 P7 P8 T
o
t
a
l
Boys 4,824 2,929 2,553 2,038 1,414 969 638 215 1
5
,
5
8
0
Girls 3,270 1,770 1,405 1,055 704 416 210 91 8
,
9
2
1
Total 8,094 4,699 3,958 3,093 2,118 1,385 848 306 2
4
,
5
0
1
%Girls 40.4% 37.7% 35.5% 34.1% 33.2% 30.0% 24.8% 29.7% 3
6
.
4
% Girls
enrolmentasapercentage
Of total enrolment EVE Schools EMIS school data Non-EVE schools
2008 33.6% 38.5% 38.7%
2010 36.4% 39.4% 39.5%
Change2008–2010 +2.8% +0.9% +0.8%
Page 41 of 44
More
than 60 3.5 1.9 1.7 3.6 1.8 1.8 52.3 50.0 54.8
Source: National Baseline Household Survey, 2009.
Total number of pupils of all ages in secondary school as a percentage of the Population
of ages 14-17 children B
State
Total
14-17
Pop
Total
Secondary
Enrolment
'09
GER 1
Male
14-17
Pop
Male 14-
17
Enrolled
'09
Male
GER1
Female
14-17 Pop
Female
14-17
Enrolled
'09
Female
GER1
C. Equatoria 98,534 15,880 16% 52,012 10,254 20% 46,522 5,626 12%
E. Equatoria 94,495 3,627 4% 51,090 2,720 5% 43,405 907 2%
W. Equatoria 52,801 3,072 6% 27,806 2,220 8% 24,995 852 3%
Jonglei 118,556 2,593 2% 66,975 1,930 3% 51,581 663 1%
Unity 48,719 1,196 2% 25,337 1,083 4% 23,382 113 0%
Upper Nile 85,569 5,826 7% 48,187 4,080 8% 37,382 1,746 5%
Lakes 55,542 1,686 3% 29,797 1,588 5% 25,745 98 0%
Warrap 76,975 1,346 2% 38,019 1,205 3% 38,956 141 0%
Western BG 24,829 7,735 31% 13,450 5,923 44% 11,379 1,812 16%
Northern BG 50,388 1,066 2% 24,744 974 4% 25,644 92 0%
Southern
Sudan 706,408 44,027 6% 377,417 31,977 8% 328,991 12,050 4%
Source: EMIS, Ministry of Education
Page 42 of 44
Annex: 3.
Road Map for the Compilation of the National Comprehensive Review Report on the
Implementation of the Beijing Declaration and Platform for Action
Action Point Responsible Institution Time line
1 Preliminary meeting
Ministry Of Gender, Child
and social Welfare
Thur. April 10th
2014, 12-1pm
2 Stakeholders Meeting
Ministry of Gender, child
and social Welfare
Thur. 17th April
2014, 10-12pm
3 Request for short term consultant
Ministry of Gender,
UNWOMEN
16th -29th April
2014.
4 1ST Review of the Draft Report
Ministry of Gender and
All key stakeholders
Thur. 24th April
2014
5 Final Review of the Draft Report
Ministry of Gender, Child
and Social welfare.
Wed. 30th April
2014
6 Printing and Submission of the
Report
Ministry of Gender, child
and social welfare,
UNWOMEN
1ST May 2014.
LIST OF KEY STAKEHOLDERS
CRITICAL AREAS STAKEHOLDERS
1 Women and Poverty -Ministry of Finance and Economic planning
-Ministry of cooperatives and rural
development
-Ministry of Gender, child and social welfare
-National Bureau of Statistics
-UNDP
-Relevant state ministry.
2 Education and training of women -Ministry of Education science and Technology
-Juba University
3 Women and health -Ministry of health
-Relevant state Ministry
-UNICEF
-UNFPA
-UNDP
-WHO
4 Violence against women -Ministry of interior
-Ministry of Gender, child and social welfare
-Ministry of Health
-UNFPA
-Relevant state ministry
-UNICEF
Page 43 of 44
-UNWOMEN
-ARC
-IRC
5 Women and armed conflict -Ministry of Defense
-Ministry of veteran affairs
-War Heroes and Widows commission
-Ministry of interior
-Relevant state ministry
6 Women and Economy -Ministry of Finance and economic planning
-Ministry of commerce and investment
-Ministry of mining and petroleum
-SS National Bureau of Statistics
-UNDP
-UNWOMEN
-Relevant state ministry
7 Women in power and decision
making
-Ministry of Gender, child and social welfare
-Ministry of parliamentary affairs
-Women parliamentary caucus
-Specialized committee on Gender and social
welfare
-UNWOMEN
-UNDP
-Relevant state ministry
8 Institutional Mechanism for
advancement of women
-Ministry of Gender, child and social welfare
-National Women parliamentary caucus
-Specialized committee on Gender and social
welfare
9 Human rights and women -South Sudan Human rights commission
-Ministry of Justice
-Ministry of Gender, child and social welfare
UNWOMEN
Relevant state ministry
10 Women and Media -Ministry of information and broadcasting
-South Sudan Media Association
-Association of Media women in South Sudan
11 Women and environment -Ministry of environment and Natural
resources
-Ministry of Agriculture and forestry
-UNEP
-UNDP
-Relevant state ministry
12 The Young Girl -Ministry of Education, science and technology
Page 44 of 44
-Ministry of Gender, child and social welfare
-Relevant state ministry
-DFID
-Plan International
Higher Institution enrolment by Gender (%) 2009-2010.
Year University Teachers Training
institute
Technical and
vocational institute
Male Female Male Female Male Female
2008 75 25 87 13 76 24
2009 78 22 76 24 73 27
2010 82 18 80 20 73 27
Source: Education statistics for South Sudan (2008, 2009, 2010)
KEY REFERENCE DOCUMENTS:
1. South Sudan National Gender Policy (2013).
2. South Sudan Development Plan (2011-2013).
3. National Bureau of Statistics, Statistical Year Book, (2010, 2011)
4. Gender Policy Framework for Local Government (2012).
5. Transitional Constitution of the Republic of South Sudan.
6. The Child Act, (2008)
7. The Comprehensive Country Gender Assessment for South Sudan (July 2012)
8. Basic Education and Gender and Equality Book let, (UNICEF, South Sudan).
9. South Sudan Household and Health Survey (2010 and EMIS 2011).
10. South Sudan Country Situational Report presented to IGAD (March 2014).
11. Special Report 298, on Gender and State Building in South Sudan (United State Institute
of Peace).